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N-K Manufacturing Technologies for insert and multi-shot molding

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N-K Manufacturing Technologies Expands Molding Capabilities
$4 Million Investment Creates One of the State's Largest Specialty Molders

Grand Rapids, Michigan

N-K Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. today announced plans to expand its injection molding capabilities by adding $4 million worth of new equipment that will allow it to produce complex components for the office furniture and appliance industries.

The Grand Rapids, Mich. custom molder of plastics is installing a second two-shot press at its 1134 Freeman Ave. SW plant that will allow it to mold multiple types of materials or colors of plastic into a single part. The press, an 825-ton Rotary Engel, will allow N-K Manufacturing to mold larger components than it currently can produce.

N-K Manufacturing plans to add up to three more two-shot molding machines over the next three years, a move that will make it one of the state's largest custom multi-shot plastic injection molders. The Company anticipates adding several employees as the new equipment comes into production.

"This capital investment significantly expands our capabilities, allowing N-K to mold complex components for a variety of industries," said Armen Kassouni, vice president of N-K Manufacturing. "Multi-shot molding lets us produce more durable, functional parts for our customers at a lower price, saving them time in both the manufacturing and assembly processes.

"We are confident in the long-term health of office furniture and appliance manufacturing in Michigan, and see this investment as one that will allow us to meet the advanced technological needs of our customers for years to come."

Multi-shot molding is a specialized process used on items such as chair arms, power tool housings and soft-touch buttons. Unlike conventional techniques, where parts of different colors or levels of "feel" are molded individually and then assembled manually, multi-shot molding allows a manufacturer to use a single mold to produce a part of different colors, textures and feel, or durometer.

Multi-shot molding reduces the number of parts and assembly processes required to build office furniture and appliances. By using two different types of plastic, for example, N-K Manufacturing can produce chair arms with strong, durable cores covered with flexible material that provides a soft touch for the consumer.

The process provides high-speed, fully automatic molding for a wide range of products and components. The resulting parts, which cost less to produce than those done with conventional molding techniques, have greater strength, durability and gloss. Specific benefits include:

Reduction in molding and assembly steps, often as much as 50 percent
Reduction in per-piece prices for components
Improvement in appearance, strength and functionality
Elimination of need for multiple molds and tooling
Enhanced design by providing contrasting colors, increased durability

"We can provide the furniture and appliance industries with parts that are less expensive and better designed by condensing two operations into one," said Kassouni. "The process reduces tooling and operation costs. And product quality is higher than that of a traditionally molded product, as we can manipulate appearance, texture and functionality of the product within the machine."

N-K Manufacturing Technologies is a custom molder of plastics specializing in multi-shot, insert and over-molding technologies for the automotive and other industries. N-K is part of the Nicholas Plastics Group, which is a single-source, vertically integrated, value-added provider of plastic solutions for the automotive, office furniture, appliance and related industries. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., the Nicholas Group has manufacturing facilities in Allendale and Grand Rapids, and a technical sales and design center in Troy.

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N-K Manufacturing Technologies LLC
1134 Freeman SW - Grand Rapids, Michigan USA 49503
Tele: (616) 248-3200
Fax: (616) 248-3246
Email: custserv@nkmfgtech.com